Becoming a Pentax enthusiast

[RalphLambrecht]

To be fair the Canon made before their EOS were not that great. Too complicated and not very reliable. But they have made great improvements since the EOS due to the fact they swiched electronic interfacing. I like Pentax too but I never can like an auto focus Pentax SLR.

I think it's great that you found something you're happy with. Of course, every brand has its fans and all cameras have their pros and cons. I'm very happy with my Nikons(FMsFEs,N70 and D800) plus all the lenses. Mostly love their exposure accuracy and the lensquality,; but horses for courses.

 

[Chan Tran]

I think it's great that you found something you're happy with. Of course, every brand has its fans and all cameras have their pros and cons. I'm very happy with my Nikons(FMsFEs,N70 and D800) plus all the lenses. Mostly love their exposure accuracy and the lensquality,; but horses for courses.

Well but my favorite is Nikon. I owned some old Canons but I never really use them except testing them out.

 

[Rekusu]

I have always been a Nikon user, but in the day, I started shooting for stock libraries, so purchased a couple of 67 MU bodies and gradually, acquired most of the lens range. Absolutely amazing cameras and incredible images when viewed on a light-box. Owing to the increasing cost of film with a 67, i then purchased a 645 and used my 67 lenses. As the smaller format only used the central portion of the 67 lenses, those Velvia images were razor sharp.

I never got into submitting digital stock , still have my film cameras in storage; nowadays, am using a Nikon D300.

Since I fancy undertaking a new hobby of camera restoration, I acquired some of the necessary tools and bought both a Pentax 75-150 zoom and an S1A non-working body. A few YouTube vids later and I have managed to get the camera working; it just needed cleaning and a bit of lubrication. Now it seems a shame to learn by dismantling a fully functioning camera.

As for the lens, to date, that seems a bigger challenge but if it becomes 'non-working' in the process, so be it. All good fun!!!

 

[Pioneer]

Earlier this year, I bought an SV and am really enjoying that one as well. The camera shows almost no wear and has been a joy to shoot. It's a bit of a relief to shoot a 60s era camera with zero thought about whether or not the meter is accurate. It came mated with a Super-Takumar 50mm f1.8 lens that has that nice, radioactive amber cast to it. It's like finding a 64 Barracuda that had never been driven and was properly stored.

I like Pentax but I'd rather have the 'Cuda.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Did not know that the 50 1.8 has a thorium element.

If you mean the 55mm f/1.8 Super Takumar lens, the ones in the 1971 era did have at least one thorium element. My wife's 1971 Spotmatic included such a lens. It has amazing resolution. I do not know if the thorium formulation extended into the production of SMC lenses in 1972 or 1973. I have a late 55 1.8 SMC that has remained clear, so no thorium element.

 

[Paul Howell]

I bought my 50 1.8 in 1966, I have the 1.4 as well that has turned yellow, I left in the desert summer sun for a few days and it cleared. The 1.8 has not turned yellow. It is not listed on this web site.

Thoriated Camera Lens (ca. 1970s)

 

[xkaes]

That's not a comprehensive list, but its focus is "thorium" glass.

 

[Paul Howell]

Yeah, your right, I've seen other lists over the years with additional lens listed.

 

[GregY]

I didn't settle on Pentax back in the day. More Leica & Nikon. Although i did use an LX with 24mm and 80-200 on a trip to Nepal alongside my Leica M6. I did try out the MX... but it didn't stick... I preferred some of the Nikon lenses.
Lately though I have Pentax 645 (manual version) which is a killer camera and a M42 50mm 1.4 which i use wide open (love the character) on its lens holder a black S2.

 

[titrisol]

My first camera was a Canon A-1 bought in about 1980. Every camera I've bought before 2024 was a Canon. When I got back into film photography, I bought an F-1N to replace my original A-1, which I had given to my youngest son. I bought a flurry of Canon's last fall with 2 FX's, 3 FTs, 3 FTbs, another F-1, AL-1, T-70 and 8 A-1s. I do like Canons.

In January of this year, I spotted a decent looking Pentax Spotmatic IIA in the inop camera bin at the local camera shop for $10. I bought it and fixed it but was not overly impressed at that time. Then, I saw a black KX in the bin on one trip and it had beautiful brassing, so I thought that it needed saved. I did a CLA on it and very quickly came to like how it shot. After that, I picked up another Spotmatic, 2 MXs and an SV and I have to say that I love every one of those. My go-to camera for every day use is now one of the MXs with the KX stepping in from time to time. The MX usually sports a 40mm f2.8 Pancake which is a really nice combination. The SV and Spotmatics are generally shot through some beautiful old Takumars. The KX generally carries an f1.4 50mm SMC that I really like. My camera cabinet may be a radioactive hot spot between all of the Pentax and early Canon glass.

I'm actually a bit soured on the Canon's right now after the Pentax experience. All of the Pentax cameras have been beautifully reliable after a basic clean and lube with fresh light seals. Most of my older Canon's have needed shutter capping issues addressed before joining the active shooter group. BTW, I need to find a better name for the camera's that I actively shoot. My early F-1 has had issues despite sending it out for a professional CLA in frame spacing and recently, a mid-roll film jam that required unloading and reloading in a darkroom. The new F-1N just went down last week too. I thought it was just due for a battery but I find that with a battery installed, the camera is completely dead. With a battery removed, I have the standby 1/60 shutter speed working. I have not opened that one up to diagnose what went wrong. It's had about 15 rolls of flawless performance since I added that and I've always considered it to be my go-to for times when I really need to have a working camera.

Faith in Canon's has taken a hit. The pure reliability of the all mechanical Pentax's I own gives me a level of confidence that I've lost in my Canon's. I still love my fleet of A-1s and I really do enjoy shooting them, but truth be told, it's the MX that gets the nod most of the time now.

Welcome to the club
Sportmatics are like my "safety blanket" The camera I always come back to

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

The first 35mm camera I ever used (like many) was the K1000, back in high school. I have a sentimental connection with it. I was never into photography, but I needed a camera to document my art work, and it was also a way to photograph interesting comps, and use them as references for my drawings. I picked one up for 80 loonies at a pawn shop back in '88. That was a lot of money for me then, as I was wrapping up my BFA, and had very little funds. That camera started to take over my life, and before you know it, I was hooked. Over the past decade, I've added a Spotmatic, a couple of ME's, a Super ME, and an MX. I also have a back up K1000, just in case. I have no complaints really, about any of them.

 

[88E30M50]

Did not know that the 50 1.8 has a thorium element.

I forget what site I saw that on. It seems to be accurate though, as it's pin sharp and has the amber tint in the rear element.

 

[88E30M50]

For example—Canon lenses turn the wrong way when focusing and setting aperture. My Pentax, Nikkor, and Bronica lenses all turn the correct way. (Though the Nikkor turn the wrong way to mount the lens bayonet…)

That's funny, since that was one thing I thought was odd about Pentax lenses when i first got into them. They all seemed to turn in the wrong direction.

 

[kl122002]

I'm actually a bit soured on the Canon's right now after the Pentax experience. All of the Pentax cameras have been beautifully reliable after a basic clean and lube with fresh light seals. Most of my older Canon's have needed shutter capping issues addressed before joining the active shooter group. BTW, I need to find a better name for the camera's that I actively shoot. My early F-1 has had issues despite sending it out for a professional CLA in frame spacing and recently, a mid-roll film jam that required unloading and reloading in a darkroom. The new F-1N just went down last week too. I thought it was just due for a battery but I find that with a battery installed, the camera is completely dead. With a battery removed, I have the standby 1/60 shutter speed working. I have not opened that one up to diagnose what went wrong. It's had about 15 rolls of flawless performance since I added that and I've always considered it to be my go-to for times when I really need to have a working camera.

Faith in Canon's has taken a hit. The pure reliability of the all mechanical Pentax's I own gives me a level of confidence that I've lost in my Canon's. I still love my fleet of A-1s and I really do enjoy shooting them, but truth be told, it's the MX that gets the nod most of the time now.

Same Canon user here.

Looking back I would rather say Canon have spend lots on advertising, making themselves as if one of the most reliable camera maker.

My friend had replaced his AE-1 twice within a week and finally got his refund in early 1980s. He was so disappointed and decided to get a Minolta. He never looked back to any Canon even today.

At that time I thought it was just his bad luck, but now seeing people complain about reliability and defects like my friend that had , I believe it is all about QC.

 

[Sanug]

My first serious camera was a Spotmatic II with the famous 1.8/55mm. Great camera and lens. Later I added some Carl Zeiss Jena lenses.

Later I switched to a ME super. Enjoyed the winder with the excellent ergonomics (grip). Later came the LX. What a fantastic camera!

The lenses were not easy to find, but they are of great quality. I owned:

3.5/18
2/35
2.8/40
1.2/50
1.8/85
2.8/105
2.5/135
2.5/200
4/300 A*

I sold everything in the early 2000s and switched to digital. Burnt a lot of money. Regret it very much.

Today I am back analogue with both Spotmatic II and Praktica MTL5. Lenses by Carl Zeiss Jena again. But I have some nice SMC Takumar M42 lenses now:

3.5/15
1.4/50
1.8/55
1.8/85
2.5/135
4/200
4/300

The "wrong" focusing direction is annoying. But the optical and mechanical quality is outstanding.

 

[88E30M50]

Did not know that the 50 1.8 has a thorium element.

Sorry, I just rechecked that and it's the 55, not the 50. Sorry for the confusion there.

 

[88E30M50]

yeeaaaahhh my new to me MX arrived!! And guess what, the shutter dial is not bad at all! It's actually better than my Nikon FM although it is more stubborn than Nikon FE.
Now I need to replace the mirror bumper but it seems unlike 1 piece bumper on Nikon FM this one has 4 pieces. Anyone has pictorial guide on how to replace mirror bumper?

I don't, but will need to be doing this same job on my 2nd MX. I have the light seal kit on hand from US Camera out of Colorado. I'm used to light seals being fairly simple. This one will be a bit of a puzzle.

The shutter speed dials on my MXs are definitely more stiff than my KX. Not so much so that I cannot rotate with the shutter finger, but it does take some effort. On one of my MXs, the shutter speed indicator is off one stop in the viewfinder. I've been going over the service manual and am not sure if there's an adjustment cam for the tungsten cord under the top cover. I'm hoping there is, but the lack of mention of one makes me think that there is not. I don't like adjusting cords via knots. I've never been a fly fisher and struggle with accurate knots.

 

[88E30M50]

...And another KX followed me home today. This one needs a CLA and light seals but looks good otherwise.

 

[Les Sarile]

My first camera was a Canon A-1 bought in about 1980. Every camera I've bought before 2024 was a Canon. When I got back into film photography, I bought an F-1N to replace my original A-1, which I had given to my youngest son. I bought a flurry of Canon's last fall with 2 FX's, 3 FTs, 3 FTbs, another F-1, AL-1, T-70 and 8 A-1s. I do like Canons.

In January of this year, I spotted a decent looking Pentax Spotmatic IIA in the inop camera bin at the local camera shop for $10. I bought it and fixed it but was not overly impressed at that time. Then, I saw a black KX in the bin on one trip and it had beautiful brassing, so I thought that it needed saved. I did a CLA on it and very quickly came to like how it shot. After that, I picked up another Spotmatic, 2 MXs and an SV and I have to say that I love every one of those. My go-to camera for every day use is now one of the MXs with the KX stepping in from time to time. The MX usually sports a 40mm f2.8 Pancake which is a really nice combination. The SV and Spotmatics are generally shot through some beautiful old Takumars. The KX generally carries an f1.4 50mm SMC that I really like. My camera cabinet may be a radioactive hot spot between all of the Pentax and early Canon glass.

I'm actually a bit soured on the Canon's right now after the Pentax experience. All of the Pentax cameras have been beautifully reliable after a basic clean and lube with fresh light seals. Most of my older Canon's have needed shutter capping issues addressed before joining the active shooter group. BTW, I need to find a better name for the camera's that I actively shoot. My early F-1 has had issues despite sending it out for a professional CLA in frame spacing and recently, a mid-roll film jam that required unloading and reloading in a darkroom. The new F-1N just went down last week too. I thought it was just due for a battery but I find that with a battery installed, the camera is completely dead. With a battery removed, I have the standby 1/60 shutter speed working. I have not opened that one up to diagnose what went wrong. It's had about 15 rolls of flawless performance since I added that and I've always considered it to be my go-to for times when I really need to have a working camera.

Faith in Canon's has taken a hit. The pure reliability of the all mechanical Pentax's I own gives me a level of confidence that I've lost in my Canon's. I still love my fleet of A-1s and I really do enjoy shooting them, but truth be told, it's the MX that gets the nod most of the time now.

My first SLR was the Canon EOS3 that served me really well until I got a hold of the Pentax MX.

EOS3-MX by Les DMess, on Flickr

One look through that huge viewfinder - largest magnification on a fixed prism SLR, and I became a Pentax enthusiast

 

[MFstooges]

...And another KX followed me home today. This one needs a CLA and light seals but looks good otherwise.

Was it meowing when it followed you?

Anyway, the shots on negative film from my newly acquired Pentax turned out good and no light leaks but I will send it to a shop for mirror foam replacement. The light seals on the side of the mirror, I don't think I can do it myself.

 

[xkaes]

My first SLR was the Canon EOS3 that served me really well until I got a hold of the Pentax MX.

Looks like you've got room to "down-size" yet:

 

[Les Sarile]

Looks like you've got room to "down-size" yet:

View attachment 373770

Is that tiny one a 110 camera? I used to just shoot plastic disposable 110 cameras back in the day!
Of course the Minoltas is another line I've been an enthusiast of!

 

[titrisol]

Sorry, I just rechecked that and it's the 55, not the 50. Sorry for the confusion there.

Yes, it is documented in Gerjan vanOosten book, some of the lenses that have thorium glass:
50mm f/1.4 (7 element version), 20mm f/4.5, 35mm f/2, 55mm f/1.8, 55mm f/2 and 85mm f/1.8.

Most of the radiation is alpha-type and it is stopped by the other lens elements and the viewfinder
The 55/1.8 doesnt yellow, the 50.1,4 does but its cured easily with bright light
There are many references (academic and casual) about this phenomenon which was observed in FermiLab by the US Army in the late 40s.

 

[xkaes]

Is that tiny one a 110 camera? I used to just shoot plastic disposable 110 cameras back in the day!

Not quite, Les. The Minox format is MUCH smaller than the 110 format -- and much more capable with focusing lens and adjustable shutter speeds, etc.

 

[blee1996]

I have been a long time Nikon user, but recently got encountered by Pentax. The MX with the SMC-M 50/1.7 is such a nice compact combination that I will be happy to carry everywhere.